All I've Ever Known

22. Baby Life

"People who say they sleep like babies usually don't have them."

-Leo J. Burke

four months later

Taylor and I were going out for coffee one morning in Nashville when it happened.

I had just stepped out the door when I heard Taylor gasp.

"Taylor, I think, I oh my god, I think I'm going into labor!" she said.

"You're going into labo-OH MY GOD YOU'RE GOING INTO LABOR!" I shouted in disbelief.

In a rush, I picked Taylor up and sat her down carefully in her car. I drove to the women's hospital that she'd been going to. Once we got there, we were surrounded and I lost sight of Taylor in the chaos. After a few moments, I was brought down to a room. I walked in and Taylor was laying on a bed, still very much pregnant. Her doctor was talking to her and a nurse was writing on a clipboard.

After eleven and a half long hours, Taylor finally gave birth to our daughter, Autumn Reese. She weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces and was 22.5 inches long. The way Taylor looked at her, made my heart melt. She loved Autumn with all of her heart. It was like I fell in love with Taylor all over again. And just as importantly, I fell in love with our beautiful daughter.

Autumn got Taylor's beautiful blue eyes, her ears, her lips, and definitely her height. She got my nose and facial shape. I never thought I could fall in love with another girl. But looks like I just did.

Autumn was curled up against Taylor's chest, facing me. Her eyes were just barely open. I smiled at her and took her tiny hand in mine. Her fingers curled around my thumb and she fell asleep.

Taylor was smiling brightly at our little Autumn. She looked up at me when she felt me watching her.

"Taylor, I'm so happy!" she exclaimed.

I laughed lightly, "Oh Taybae, I can tell!"

She just smiled bigger and asked me if I wanted to hold my new daughter. I eagerly agreed. I slid my thumb out of her fingers and gently settled her into my arms once Taylor held her out for me. Autumn never woke, just curled up closer against my chest.

Taylor kissed my nose. "You made a beautiful girl you dork."

I shook my head at her, smiling down at Autumn.

-

After a few days, Taylor and Autumn were cleared to go home. We arrived back in Taylor's penthouse around 3 in the afternoon. Taylor immediately brought Autumn to her new room and laid her in her crib. Then she came into the living room and laid against me on the couch.

I pressed my hands to her now flat belly.

"Miss the bump babe?" she asked, but before I could answer she retorted, "Well too bad, because I do NOT."

I laughed. She smacked my chest.

"You don't understand what it's like! I felt like, like, Mrs. Claus!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah, but you still managed to look beautiful through the whole thing!" I replied.

"Oh shut up," she said, cuddling up against me. Before long, she was asleep.

I laid on the couch with her against my chest wondering how our lives are going to be different now that we have a baby to take care of.

Taylor had put her music career on hold over the past few months so she could get ready to have our baby and have a family with me.

I stroked her blonde locks that she had recently cut short. I had teased her about it for a while, saying it was a 'mom' haircut. But I secretly do love it. She looks even prettier with it. I lightly kissed her forehead, then shifted out from underneath her and covered her with a blanket. I walked as quietly as I could to Autumn's room. I stood, leaning against her crib, watching her sleep. She was sleeping soundly on her stomach, her little hands were called into fists and her whole body was rising and falling with her soft breathing. I lightly placed my hand on her back to feel her breathing. I will never get tired of watching my girls sleep.

But I know I won't last forever.